Conclusion

Abstract

This chapter begins by arguing that the purpose or desired end product of a review should be the key consideration when choosing between methods for qualitative evidence synthesis (QES). The second half of the chapter engages with the notion that the field of QES is characterized by differences in approach. These differences are located within the epistemological and ontological differences which make up qualitative research and the range of disciplines contributing to QES methods. A discussion of approaches to searching and the use of quality assessment reveal substantial overlap between the methods described in this book.